The Life of Apollonius of Tyana (Books 1-4)

Apollonius of Tyana excites the imagination and often brings comparison to other wandering mystics like Jesus Christ. But evidence for Apollonius' life is virtually nonexistent - we only have one text, a biography by Philostratus, written during the Severan age. This extraordinary work of philosophical theory, adventure, and the supernatural, is packed full of juicy details and ideas.

In this video, we look at the first half of the Life and explore its main theme: philosophy vs. tyranny. How does Apollonius stand up to tyrants and defend the examined life? What advantages does the discipline of philosophy afford him and his followers?

Text of Philostratus:

Quotations in this video are from this text/translation, unless otherwise noted.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
05:13 Book 1, Pythagoras & Early Life
07:14 Advice at the Temple of Asclepius
09:38 Vardanes, Philosophy & Kingship
11:43 Early Evidence of Supernatural State
17:06 Book 2, Fight with the Empusa
18:27 Educating Damis
22:48 Phraotes, Doing Philosophy
26:52 Alexander the Great
28:03 Book 3, With the Sages of India
29:34 Iarchas, Doing Philosophy, Reincarnation
31:43 Minos & Tantalus
34:33 On the Elements
35:50 Apollonius & the Crybaby King
38:32 Book 4, The Plague of Ephesus
43:27 Katabasis & Achilles
49:32 Nero's Character
54:19 Nero vs. Philosophy
1:00:00 A Miracle?
1:01:53 Recap & Conclusion

Images from Wikimedia Commons and in the public domain unless otherwise noted. Stock video from Envato Elements.

Theme music: "Descent from the Olympos Pentatonic." (original)

Follow me on Instagram: @hearthofhaemonia

[seangarvey]

Glad I found this channel
. You have a really good voice and delivery of an interesting subject. Well done.

[Rossini_Celestin_El]

New sub - great command of the subject.

[gorygremlin]

This is a philosopher not discussed often so thank you for your hard work

[chrstopherblighton-sande]

I've been looking forward to this video all week, and having just finished watching it, I already want to watch it again as there was so much fascinating content to think about! I'm definitely looking forward to part 2 (3) especially as our friend Apollonius is heading west to Spain and I'm intrigued about what he is going to learn there especially about those religious advancements there!

I think the story of Apollonius reminds us that philosophy and popular religion were not mutually exclusive but were indeed connected - giving greco-roman philosophy a more 'religious' nature than how the discipline is regarded in the modern day whilst remaining somewhat distinct from that popular religion. Interesting this aspect of ancient philosophy connects in my mind to Apollonius' voyage to India and learning from the sages there. Firstly I like how despite the very greek-centric view that Philostratus has and the garbled information about India described, the Indian sages do have significant resemblances to contemporary Hindu holy men. Indian religion, especially Hinduism seems to have fused together a more popular polytheism with a profound set of philosophical traditions. It makes me wonder; if Greco-Roman religion had survived the Christianisation of the Roman Empire, would a similar fusion have taken place, thus resulting in a religion more like Hinduism with scriptures and doctrines? It seems as if the philosophers like Apollonius were moving more in that sort of direction.

I found the descriptions of Nero as a beast interesting as I believe scholars regard the 'beast' of the book of Revelations to be Nero. It's intriguing to wonder who originated such literary images and how they spread to differing communities.

The openly admitted ambiguity of Apollonius' marvels - such as bringing the dead (?) girl back to life, is refreshing and very attractive to me. I like the open-mindedness and humility in that approach.

Finally - being able to be in two places at once.... now that would be super useful!!

[chrstopherblighton-sande]

I can't wait to watch this! I'm going to wait till Sunday when I have more time to do so, which has therefore given me something to look forward to.

[neclark]

I'm pleased to have found your YouTube Channel - as a source of information on Life-, Ethics-, Philosophy and Religions in the 'Classical' World !

I particularly like the way you 'co-display' text + images...like how 'layers' of text- and images in your Slide Exhibits 'shift' one-above-the-other (here, between @13:20 & @13:50).

[allangardiner]

So glad Kate mentioned the elements!
i read the book with a critical mind set but Kate's approach reminded me of the wealth of incident and reference in this amazing survival from late anytiquity. The identification of the thematic unifier is also helpful.
I anm so much enjoying this experience of, in effect, being in a reading group with a wonderful tutor.

[zachbeech]

My background in Greek philosophy is limited. I have only begun to explore more Platonic ideas largely thanks to The Romanist Society. He has a great short book that is an introduction into Platonic religious practices. It was first there that I read about the great sages not taking part in the consumption of meat. Their beliefs, wisdom, and worldview come very natural to my disposition. The only great struggle is abstaining from the use of animal products. I completely understand their belief for it but I think it would be a mountain for myself to conquer. Some would say that is the point and no disagreement there.

My background is rural Midwest USA. I visit a farm every week and know many great farmers. From that upbringing I was raised that humanly killing an animal is the best practice. I believe we as a society do not appreciate the fact enough that an animal has to die in order for many of the foods we eat. I also cannot stand factory farming and would love to see many changes in that practice.

I guess many of my thoughts currently simmer down to this.

1. I am not sure how realistic is would be to expect a population to abstain from the consumption and use of animal products. I have not read enough from philosophers if they weighted in on this.
2. I would wonder what the philosophers in general would think of animal husbandry. Why would an ineffable God create so many animals that are domesticated and not use them for consumption among the many other uses they have. In general life feeds on life. If not a cow then an entire garden of plants, I understand the difference but it is one life for another. What use would these animals have without humans.

I could write more but this is long enough for a Youtube comment.

[ericadouroux]

I like your content, but why do you ignore the fact that ancient Greece learned or adapted all of their wisdom and knowledge from ancient Egyptians and other African societies.